Allow open water swimming especially for those with chronic illness

Resume open water swimming as a form of outdoor exercise. It's a low risk activity for coronavirus, it's a great form of exercise, it can be done safely in small groups of 2 or 3 (with proper equipment and experience).

Why the contribution is important

It is essential for many of us, not just for physical fitness, but for our physical and mental health (inc. for example, arthritis, fibromyalgia, depression and anxiety). I have used regular outdoor swimming to manage my fibromyalgia for the past six years. I had not, until lockdown, had any severe flare-ups of my fibromyalgia symptoms for a couple of years. Now, in lockdown and unable to swim, I have severe pain again in hands, shoulders, neck, jaw, hips, back, legs and I'm having to take strong prescription painkillers again. I just want to get back to swimming again as I know I will feel better.

by apple4me on May 08, 2020 at 11:12PM

Current Rating

Average rating: 4.7
Based on: 4 votes

Comments

  • Posted by ClStephens May 09, 2020 at 10:16

    There is strong support for lifting the restrictions of open water swimming.

    The physical and mental health benefits of cold water / open water swimming are well established.

    The nature of the activity means distancing is automatic, it's difficult to swim close to others especially in open water. Safety is always a high priority when swimming in open water and open water swimmers already have a stong safety mindset making social distancing easy to implement.

    Restrictions on travelling to local open water sites should be lifted.
  • Posted by CarrieFortune May 09, 2020 at 11:00

    Agree this is low risk and could easily start
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